Philadelphia Police Brutality Lawyers Discuss American Police Violence Statistics
November 21, 2016It is no secret that many Americans are victims of police brutality each year. In 2014, police used lethal force on 1,297 Americans. By 2015, that number rose to 1,307. Philadelphia police brutality lawyers report that a police officer uses lethal force on an American citizen every seven hours.
Police brutality does not only affect the direct victims of officers’ violence; It affects their dependents by saddling them with the financial and emotional burdens of losing a loved one. It also affects entire communities by instilling a distrust of police and creating conditions that lead to further violence, both among community members and between officers and civilians.
If you suffered an injury or lost a loved one as a result of interactions with police, you have the right to seek compensation for your damages. Work with a lawyer who has experience representing police brutality victims.
What is Police Brutality?
Many different actions can be considered to be police brutality. At its base, police brutality is defined as the deliberate use of excessive force in an interaction with a civilian. This can be physical force but it can also be verbal or psychological intimidation.
Examples of police brutality include:
- Misuse of tasers to stun the civilian
- Misuse of any other weapon, such as a gun
- Improper or illegal search and seizure
- Harassment of the civilian
- Attempts to coerce the civilian into confessing to an offense
- Sexual abuse of a civilian
- Failing to take action when witnessing another officer abuse or intimidate a civilian
It can be difficult to define excessive force. Your lawyer can help you determine whether excessive force was used on you by examining the evidence you present, such as testimonies and photographs.
Philadelphia Police Brutality Lawyers at the Law Offices of Patrick G. Geckle LLC Can Protect your Rights
If you are a victim of police brutality in Philadelphia, you have the right to seek compensation for your damages. Fill out our online form or call 215-735-3326 or our toll free number 800-555-7780 to set up your initial consultation in Philadelphia at the Law Offices of Patrick G. Geckle LLC. Our Philadelphia police brutality lawyers work with clients from the Philadelphia area and throughout Eastern and Central Pennsylvania, including clients from Bucks County, Carbon County, Berks County, Delaware County, Lancaster County, Lackawanna County, Lehigh County, Luzerne County, Montgomery County, and Monroe County.